Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine includes: an image display device; and a game processing unit that performs a process for providing a player a game by controlling the image display device to display a progress of the game. The game processing unit performs the process including: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is based upon and claims priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-211789, filed on Jul. 21, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a Pachi-Slot machine, or a pachinko machine including a display device, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying a result of the game play.

BACKGROUND

Hitherto, there is provided a gaming machine including display device, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying the result of the game play and advancing game play using an image displayed on the display device. As examples of such gaming machine, for example, there is provided: a gaming machine for producing variable display as reels displayed as an image on a liquid crystal display (such type of reels will be hereinafter referred to as “video reels”) are rotated or scrolled according to player's operation (video slot machine); and a gaming machine for displaying a card image representing playing cards and changing the card image display to advance the game according to operation input of the player (card gaming machine). In addition, a gaming machine, such as a slot machine, a pachinko machine and a Pachi-Slot machine, also includes display device that displays an image showing the progress of the game and a result of the game.

In this kind of gaming machine, various effects such as image effect displayed on display device are produced for the reasons of heightening a sense of expectancy of the player and enhancing the game play desire until the result of the game (for example, in video slot machine, symbol combination when variable display stops; in pachinko machine, symbol stop display state in special symbol game) is displayed. For example, a document JP-A-2002-159687 discloses a pachinko machine for producing effect for enhancing the degree of expectation for a big bonus or flag completion of a bonus game. A document JP-A-2002-126171 discloses a Pachi-Slot machine wherein effects displayed on a display are roughly classified into effects that can be canceled and effects that cannot be canceled and the player can cancel any effect that can be canceled by operating an effect cancel button.

In the gaming machines in the related arts, various effects such as image effect displayed on display device are produced, so that a sense of expectancy of the player can be heightened and the game play desire can be enhanced according to the effects.

However, even if various effects such as image effect are produced, the effects mainly aim at only the visual effect on the player and are not sufficient for actually heightening a sense of expectancy of the player. Of course, finally the result of the game does not become a win (or a winning combination) (for example, the symbol combination does not become a specific symbol combination, the symbol stop display state does not become a specific stop display state, or the like). Thus, if the player plays a game with any gaming machine in the related arts, the player easily feels that a loss feeling or regret when the result of the game does not become a win (or a winning combination) is large on the rebound after a sense of expectancy is heightened by the effects.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine including: an image display device; and a game processing unit that performs a process for providing a player a game by controlling the image display device to display a progress of the game. The game processing unit performing the process including: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display section configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing a player a game with a gaming machine by controlling an image display device provided on the gaming machine to display a progress of the game. The method includes: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable program product for causing a computer provided on a gaming machine for providing a player a game to control an image display device provided on the gaming machine to display a progress of the game. The program product causes the computer to perform a procedure including: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine including: a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on a plurality of rows; a winning combination determination means for determining whether or not a game is won by a player; a stop display control means for producing stop display of the symbols on the rows so that the symbols displayed stopped in a determination area, in which to determine whether or not a specific symbol combination is satisfy, form the specific symbol combination when the winning combination determination means determines the win; a partial winning combination condition determination means for determining whether or not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for the symbol displayed stopped in the determination area to form a part of the specific symbol combination, and for displaying specific symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination in any other area than the determination area; a re-variable display control means for re-performing the variably display of the plurality of symbols on anon-display row where the symbol forming a part of the specific symbol combination is not displayed when the partial winning combination condition determination means determines that the partial winning combination condition is satisfied; and a move display control means for causing the variable display means to perform a move display of the specific symbol to the non-display row when the re-variable display control means re-performs the variably display the plurality of symbols on the non-display row.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show a general configuration of a slot machine of a gaming machine according an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram to show an example of the internal configuration of a video control circuit;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart to show an operation procedure from the game start to the end;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart to show the operation procedure of base game processing;

FIG. 6 is a drawing to show an example of a stop table;

FIG. 7 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed on the slot machine according the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed after the state shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed after the state shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed after the state shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed after the state shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image displayed after the state shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A gaming machine according to the invention will be discussed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings based on an embodiment, which is embodied as a slot machine.

General Configuration of Slot Machine

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine according to the embodiment and enables a player to play a variable display game (also called slot game) using variable display images of symbols. The slot machine 1 has a bonus game state for allowing a player to play a bonus game started under a given condition in succession to a base game as well as a base game state for allowing a player to play a base game started unconditionally from the game start, and also enables the player to play a slot game in the bonus game state.

The slot machine 1 is provided with a main display 3 (image display device) including a liquid crystal display on the front of a cabinet 2 and also has a subsidiary display 4 including a liquid crystal display above the main display 3.

The main display 3 serves as a variable display means and has a variable display area 20 that is provided at substantially in the center of a screen of the main display 3. Five symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e are arranged in the variable display area 20 from side to side.

A scroll display image (reel image) with a plurality of symbols moving from the top to the bottom to be visually recognized as if a mechanical reel is rotating, is displayed on each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e. The images indicating first to fifth reels are thus displayed on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e, whereby a plurality of symbols are variably displayed in a plurality of (in the embodiment, five) rows. When a slot game is over, a symbol row with three symbols arranged in a longitudinal direction is displayed on each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e. The five 3-symbol rows on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e indicate a result of the game.

In the slot machine 1, a pay line L (activated pay line) of one horizontal row is set in the center in the longitudinal direction on the five symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d and 20 e.

A winning combination in a base game processing, which will be described later, is satisfied when the three symbols of the symbols displayed stopped on the activated pay line L from the left are symbols same with one another. The three symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c from the left (shown by hatched portions in FIG. 7), of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e placed in the center in the longitudinal direction, is configured as a determination area in the embodiment. The determination area is configured for determining whether or not a specific symbol combination, which will be described later, is satisfied.

The player recognizes whether or not the specific symbol combination is satisfied based on the symbols displayed stopped on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c.

In the embodiment, the activated pay line L is fixedly set in advance. However, the number of activated pay lines may be configured to be set arbitrary. In this case, the number of pay lines activated in a game changes with the number of game medium, such as coins and medals, bet by a player on the game (the game media will be hereinafter referred to as “coins”) or the number (count) set as credit (coin and credit information in terms of the number of times a slot game can be performed is referred to as game value information).

An image relevant to a game such as an award table or description of the game is displayed on the subsidiary display 4.

The slot machine 1 has a substantially horizontal pedestal portion 11 below the main display 3. The pedestal portion 11 is provided with a coin insertion slot 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a spin switch 8, a 1BET switch 9, and a MAX BET switch 10.

The coin insertion slot 6 is provided for a player to input a coin and has an insertion coin sensor 6 a (see FIG. 2) for outputting a signal indicating coin input. The bill insertion slot 7 is provided for a player to input a bill and has a bill sensor 7 a (see FIG. 2) for outputting a signal indicating bill insertion. The spin switch 8 is provided for a player to perform operation for displaying variable display images of symbols on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e and starting a slot game. The 1BET switch 9 is provided for a player to bet one coin by operating the switch once. The MAX BET switch 10 is provided for a player to bet the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game by operating the switch once.

Further, the slot machine 1 has a coin payout opening 13 and a coin receiving tray 14 for storing paid-out coins. Further, the slot machine 1 is provided with speakers 12L and 12R on the left and the right of the coin payout opening 13.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 showing an internal configuration of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 includes a microcomputer 31 (game processing unit).

The microcomputer 31 has a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and ROM (Read-Only Memory) 34. The main CPU 32 performs a process for providing the player the game by controlling the main display 3 (image display device) to display a progress of the game, in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 34. The main CPU 32 inputs/outputs signals from/to other components via an I/O port 39 for controlling the whole operation of the slot machine 1. Data and a program used for the main CPU 32 to operate are stored in the RAM 33; for example, a random number sampled by a sampling circuit 36 described later is temporarily stored in the RAM 33 after a game starts. The ROM 34 stores the programs performed by the main CPU 32 and permanent data.

The slot machine 1 also has a random number generator 35, the above-mentioned sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38. The random number generator 35 operates in accordance with an instruction of the main CPU 32 and generates random numbers in a given range. The sampling circuit 36 extracts any desired random number from among the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction of the main CPU 32 and inputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock to operate the main CPU 32 and the frequency divider 38 inputs a signal provided by dividing the reference clock in a given cycle to the main CPU 32.

Further, the slot machine 1 has a touch panel 3 a, a lamp drive circuit 59, a lamp 60, an LED drive circuit 61, LEDs 62, a hopper drive circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detection section 66. The slot machine 1 also has a video control circuit 71 and a audio control circuit 72.

The touch panel 3 a is provided so as to cover the display screen of the main display 3 for detecting the position of the touch part of a player and inputting a position signal corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 32.

The lamp drive circuit 59 outputs a signal for lighting the lamp 60 to the lamp 60 for blinking the lamp 60 during game progress. As the lamp 60 is blinked, game effect is produced. The LED drive circuit 61 controls blink display of the LEDs 62. The LEDs 62 display the credit count, the acquired number of coins, etc. The hopper drive circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 under the control of the main CPU 32 and the hopper 64 performs the operation for paying out coins from the coin payout opening 13 to the coin receiving tray 14. The coin detection section 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and sends the data of the measured number of coins to the payout completion signal circuit 65. The payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs the data of the measured number of coins from the coin detection section 66. When the number of coins reaches the setup number, the payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs a signal indicating coin payout completion to the main CPU 32.

The video control circuit 71 controls image display of the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4 and displays various images of variable display images of symbols, etc., on the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4.

The video control circuit 71 has a video control CPU 71 a, work RAM 71 b, program ROM 71 c, video ROM 71 d, video RAM 71 e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 71 f, as shown in FIG. 3.

The video control CPU 71 a determines the images to be displayed on the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4 (variable display images of symbols, etc.) in accordance with an image control program (concerning display of the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4) previously stored in the program ROM 71 c based on a parameter set in the microcomputer 31. The work RAM 71 b is implemented as temporary storage means for the video control CPU 71 a to execute the image control program.

The program ROM 71 c stores the image control program, various selection tables, etc. The video ROM 71 d stores bitmap image data for forming images. In the embodiment, the bitmap image data contains symbol image data indicating symbols used with a base game and a bonus game. The video RAM 71 e is implemented as temporary storage means for the VDP 71 f to form an image. The VDP 71 f has control RAM 71 g and forms an image responsive to the display of the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4 determined by the video control CPU 71 a and outputs the formed image to the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4.

The audio control circuit 72 inputs a sound signal for outputting a sound from the speakers 12L and 12R to the speakers 12L and 12R. For example, a sound to augment the game is output from the speakers 12L and 12R at an appropriate timing after the game starts.

Operation of Slot Machine

Next, the operation of the slot machine 1 having the described configuration will be discussed with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. In the slot machine 1, first, base game processing is performed in succession to start acceptance processing and subsequently bonus game processing is performed under a given condition, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart to show the operation procedure of main processing from the start to the end of a slot game in the slot machine 1, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the base game processing.

In the slot machine 1, the main CPU 32 serves as a game progress control unit and controls game progress. At this time, in the slot machine 1, when the main processing is started, start acceptance processing is performed at step S1 for starting a game and then base game processing is performed with the game state as the base game state at step S2 and the process proceeds to step S3, as shown in FIG. 4. At step S3, upon reception of the result of base game lottery processing described later in the base game processing at step S2, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not to make a transition to a bonus game state in accordance with a transition condition for causing the game state to make a transition to the bonus game state. Here, if the transition condition is satisfied and it is determined that the game state can make a transition to the bonus game state, the process proceeds to step S4 and then to step S5. If the transition condition is not satisfied, step S4 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S5. At step S5, when a winning combination occurs in the base game or the bonus game, coin payout processing based on setup winning combination data described later (coin payout instruction corresponding to the number of paid-out coins to the hopper drive circuit 63 by the main CPU 32, coin payout by the hopper 64, and signal input from the payout completion signal circuit 65) is performed. Thereafter, the main processing is completed.

First, at step S1 (start acceptance processing), the slot machine 1 accepts operation for starting a slot game from a player under the control of the main CPU 32. The slot machine 1 is configured as a coin-input type gaming machine. Accordingly, in order to start a slot game, first the player inputs coins bet on one game from the coin insertion slot 6, and when credit remains, the player operates the 1BET switch 9 or the MAX BET switch 10. Subsequently, the player operates the spin switch 8 (hereinafter, the operation of the switches will be referred to as “start operation”). As the start operation is performed, a start signal is input from the spin switch 8 to the main CPU 32.

Next, at step S2, base game processing is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 5. When the base game processing is started, the process proceeds to step S11 and base game lottery processing is performed. In the base game lottery processing, the main CPU 32 serves as a symbol determination means for performing symbol determination processing. In the symbol determination processing, the main CPU 32 determines the symbols (stop symbols) to be displayed stopped on symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, and 24 e in the center of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e in the longitudinal direction for each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e as variable display is stopped. During the base game lottery processing in the slot machine 1, the main CPU 32 instructs the video control circuit 71 to display an image for producing game effect on the subsidiary display 4.

In the base game lottery processing, when the main CPU 32 detects start operation of the player based on a start signal, the main CPU 32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate random numbers in a given range. The main CPU 32 instructs the sampling circuit 36 to extract any desired random number from among the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35. When the random number is extracted, the main CPU 32 sets the random number as a search key, references a symbol determination table (table storing code numbers of symbols and random numbers in association with each other—not shown) stored in the ROM 34, and acquires the code number of the corresponding symbol.

Next, the main CPU 32 sets the acquired code number as a search key, references a stop table 90 shown in FIG. 6, and searches for the stop symbol on each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e.

Here, the stop table 90 is a table having a code number area 90 a storing the (symbol) code numbers and a symbol area 90 b storing the symbols corresponding to the code numbers, as shown in FIG. 6. The code number area 90 a can be searched for the stop symbol on each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e with the code number set as a search key (in FIG. 6, “R1,” “R2,” “R3,” “R4,” and “R5” correspond to the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e respectively). The symbol (image representing a face of a doll, joker) corresponding to code number 0 and displayed on the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e is more advantageous than other symbols to the player, and when the joker symbol is displayed stopped on the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e, the player notices that the base game transitions to a bonus game.

In the slot machine 1, the random number extraction and search of the symbol determination table and the stop table 90 are performed five times in total for each of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e. That is, a table search is made as many times as the number of the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e, whereby the stop symbols on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e are determined. When each stop symbol is determined, the symbols to be placed above and below the stop symbol are also determined and finally five longitudinal 3-symbol rows are determined.

When the stop symbols on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e are determined, the main CPU 32 references a winning combination determination table stored in the ROM 34 and determines whether or not the stop symbol combination is a winning combination (i.e., determines whether or not a win of the game is satisfied). Each combination of three symbols placed on the symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c (which will be hereinafter referred to as “symbol pattern”) is registered in the winning combination determination table as a winning symbol pattern or a non-winning symbol pattern in association with code number combination (code number pattern). Since the code number patterns corresponding to the stop symbols are already determined, the main CPU 32 serves as a winning combination determination means, sets the code number pattern of the symbols corresponding to the symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c as a search key, references the winning combination determination table, and determines whether or not the player gains a winning combination of the slot game from the table reference result.

Subsequently, the main CPU 32 performs winning state determination processing of referencing a state table and determining a winning state (winning combination). The combination table is a table for determining a winning state, wherein awards corresponding to winning states are registered. When the winning state determination processing terminates, the base game lottery processing terminates. Then, the process proceeds to step S12 and display control of an initial screen is performed. At this time, the main CPU 32 instructs the video control circuit 71 to display the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e on the main display 3. Although not shown in the figure, an image (message image) indicating a message for notifying the player of the start of a slot game (for example, “game start!!”) is also displayed on the initial screen.

Next, the process proceeds to step S13. When variable display control of the first to fifth reels is performed, a slot game image indicating execution of a slot game is displayed on the main display 3. The slot game image is an image of variable display of a plurality of symbols on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e (each arrow in the longitudinal direction indicates that the symbols are being variably displayed on the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e), as shown in FIG. 7.

At step S14, the process waits until the expiration of a predetermined time. After the expiration of the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S15 and stop display control of the first to fifth reels is performed. At this time, the main CPU 32 instructs the video control circuit 71 to decrease the symbol scrolling speed and display symbol rows with the stop symbols corresponding to the result of the base game lottery processing at step S11 placed at the center in the longitudinal direction on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e as the first to fifth reels. At this time, for example, the symbol rows each with three symbols arranged from the top to the bottom are displayed on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e as shown in FIG. 8 (symbol row with three symbols of “2BAR” (longitudinally arranged character strings of double BAR”), “7,” and space arranged from the top to the bottom is displayed on the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b).

At this time, the main CPU 32 serves as a stop display control means in the invention. When the winning combination determination result in the base game lottery processing at step S11 is a winning combination, the main CPU 32 produces stop display of symbol rows on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e so that the symbols displayed stopped in the determination area on the activated pay line L form a specific symbol combination responsive to the winning state. Therefore, if the base game lottery processing returns a winning combination, the three symbols displayed stopped on the symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c on the activated pay line L form a specific symbol combination (for example, “777” (three “7”s arranged from side to side)).

At step S16, the main CPU 32 serves as a partial winning combination condition determination means and determines whether or not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for displaying a “reach symbol combination” (described later) in the determination area on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e and displaying specific symbols (described later) in any other area than the determination area. When the main CPU 32 determines that the partial winning combination condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S17 (as step S15 is performed, when step S16 is performed, the reach symbol combination and the specific symbols are already displayed on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e). When the main CPU 32 determines that the partial winning combination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S23.

At step S17, the main CPU 32 serves as a re-variable display control means and instructs the video control circuit 71 to produce re-variable display of symbols in a non-display row described later. Then, at step S18, the main CPU 32 waits until the expiration of a predetermined time. After the expiration of the predetermined time, the main CPU 32 goes to step S19 and serves as a move display control means for instructing the video control circuit 71 to produce move display of a specific symbol to the no display row. Further, at step S20, the main CPU 32 serves as a draw-in display control means for instructing the video control circuit 71 to execute draw-in display of taking a specific symbol into re-variable display of symbols.

The “reach symbol combination” is a symbol combination relevant to the specific symbol combination described above. The reach symbol combination is a symbol combination that resembles to the specific symbol combination on display, and is a symbol combination that partially matches the specific symbol combination. For example, in a case where the specific symbol combination is “777,” symbol combinations such as “77X” and “7X7” (where X is any symbol other than “7”) are defined as the reach symbol combinations.

The “specific symbol” is a symbol that complements the reach symbol combination to satisfy the specific symbol combination (for example, “7” in a case where the reach symbol combination is “77X”).

FIG. 8 shows a case where symbol rows are displayed on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, symbols P and Q each indicating “7” and symbol U indicating “cherry” are displayed on the symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c as the determination area on the activated pay line L. In this case, the three symbols P, Q, and U form the reach symbol combination.

In the case shown by FIG. 8, symbol R indicating “7” is displayed on a symbol display section 25 e of the symbol display section 20 e (hatched portion). Therefore, in the reach symbol combination formed by the symbols P, Q, and U, “7” is insufficient for the specific symbol combination “777” and insufficient “7” matches the symbol R on the symbol display section 25 e. That is, when symbol rows are displayed on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e as shown in FIG. 8, the symbols P, Q, and U displayed stopped on the symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c form a reach symbol combination and the symbol R as the specific symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination is displayed on the symbol display section 25 e.

In such a case, the symbols displayed in the determination area on the activated pay line L form the reach symbol combination, but do not form the specific symbol combination, and therefore, the player does not gain the winning combination of the slot game. However, when the reach symbol combination is displayed, the player recognizes the symbol combination as if the player gained a winning combination partially. If a specific symbol is displayed, the player recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were a symbol insufficient for the specific symbol combination.

Accordingly, the slot machine 1, whether or not the partial winning combination condition described above is satisfied is determined and when the partial winning combination condition is satisfied, steps 17 to 22 are performed. When the partial winning combination condition is satisfied, the main CPU 32 may instruct the video control circuit 71 to display reach symbols and/or specific symbols brighter than other symbols or may instruct the audio control circuit 72 to output a sound from the speakers 12L and 12R for notifying the player that the partial winning combination condition is satisfied. In this case, the main CPU 32 serves as a partial winning combination notification control unit.

In step S17, variable display of symbols in a “non-display row” is performed again, and thus symbols are again variably displayed on the symbol display section 20 c as shown in FIG. 9. The “non-display row” is a symbol display section of the symbol display sections forming the determination area where the symbol forming a part of the specific symbol combination (in this case, symbol P, Q) is not displayed. For example, in a case described herein, the non-display row corresponds to the symbol display section 20 c.

In step S19, a “move display” of specific symbol is performed, and thus an image indicating movement the symbol R as the specific symbol displayed on the symbol display section 25 e to the symbol display section 20 c is displayed as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 (the arrow from the symbol display section 20 e to the symbol display section 20 c in FIGS. 10 and 11 indicates the movement of the symbol R to the symbol display section 20 c; FIG. 10 shows just before move start of the symbol R and FIG. 11 shows moving of the symbol R).

In step S20, as shown in FIG. 12, a “draw-in display” of specific symbol is performed, and thus an image indicating that the symbol R is drawn-into the variable display on the symbol display section 20 c and fused thereinto is displayed (FIG. 12 shows a state in which the left half of “7” of the symbol R is drawn-into the variable display and after this, the symbol R is all drawn-into the variable display and cannot be recognized).

After step S20 is performed, in step S21, the main CPU 32 serves as a non-display row symbol determination means for performing non-display row lottery processing, and again determines the stop symbol in the non-display row. In step S22, stop display control of non-display row is performed so as to display the stop symbol corresponding to the result of the non-display row lottery processing at step S21, and the symbol row where the stop symbol corresponding to the result of the non-display row lottery processing at step S21 is placed at the center in the longitudinal direction is displayed on the non-display row (in FIGS. 9 to 12, symbol display section 20 c). Then, at step S23, whether or not the player gains a winning combination in the slot game is determined based on the results of the base game lottery processing at step S11 and the non-display row lottery processing at step S21. If it is determined that the player gains a winning combination, the process proceeds to step S24 and winning combination data indicating the winning combination description responsive to the winning state is set based on the results of the base game lottery processing and the non-display row lottery processing; if it is not determined that the player gains a winning combination, the base game processing is exited without executing step S24.

When the base game processing is exited, the subroutine returns to step S3 of the main routine in FIG. 4 and the main CPU 32 serves as a transition determination unit and determines whether or not a transition condition is satisfied and a transition is to be made to the bonus game state from the result of the symbol determination processing in the base game lottery processing and the non-display row lottery processing. When the transition condition is satisfied, namely, when the symbol to be displayed stopped on the activated pay line L on any of the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, or 20 e is determined to be a joker, the main CPU 32 determines that a transition can be made to the bonus game state (in addition, whether or not a transition condition is satisfied may be determined by a specific symbol combination).

At this time, a stop display image of a joker and an image indicating a message of “GET THE SPECIAL BONUS!!” are displayed at least on any one of the symbol display section 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, or 20 e on the main display 3 and on the other hand, the main CPU 32 serves as a transition unit for causing the game state to make a transition to the bonus game state.

When the game state transitions to the bonus game state, the process proceeds to step S4 and bonus game processing is performed. In the bonus game processing, a free game wherein lottery processing of determining the stop symbols on the symbol display sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e, variable display processing, and stop display control are performed without operation of the player is performed a predetermined number of times (the number of times may be a predetermined number of times or may be determined in the base game lottery processing). When the bonus game processing terminates, the process proceeds to step S5 and payout processing is performed. The main processing is now complete.

Since the slot machine 1 operates as described above, if the symbol combination displayed stopped in the determination area on the activated pay line L is not a specific symbol combination, when symbols P, Q, and U as reach symbol combination and symbol R as specific symbol are displayed, re-variable display of symbols on the symbol display section 20 c as non-display row is produced and such an image of moving the symbol R as specific symbol to the symbol display section 20 c as non-display row is displayed. Thus, if the player can determine that the result of the game is not a winning combination according to the symbols P, Q, and U, the symbol U not forming a part of the specific symbol combination is variably displayed on the symbol display section 20 c with display of the symbols P and Q forming the specific symbol combination and an image of moving the symbol R as insufficient specific symbol is displayed, whereby the following advantages are provided: As move display is produced, the player recognizes that the symbol R as insufficient specific symbol is complementary to the symbols P, Q, and U as reach symbols, so that the player recognizes the state as if the player were able to easily gain a winning combination in the next slot game. Thus, the player can raise expectations on a winning combination, so that expectations of the player on the result of the game can be raised and interest in game play can be enhanced.

Since the draw-in display is produced after the move display is performed, the player recognizes the display as if the moved specific symbol were added to the non-display row (symbol display section 20 c), and expectations on addition of the specific symbol to lottery also become visually clear. Thus, expectations of the player on the result of the game can be more raised and interest in game play can be more enhanced.

Since non-display row lottery processing is performed after such draw-in display of specific symbol is performed, the symbol to be displayed stopped on the non-display row is determined after the player recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were moved and drawn-into the non-display row. Accordingly, the player recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were involved in the symbol to be displayed stopped and expectations of the player on the result of the game can be reflected on the winning combination determination.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE

In the embodiment described above, the determination area on the activated pay line L is set to the three symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, and 24 c from the left. However, the determination area may arbitrary be set to the four symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d, or the five symbol display sections 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, and 24 e.

The expression “any other area than the determination area” in the above description is used to mean every area except the determination area in the variable display area 20 and contains not only the areas not placed on the activated pay line L like the symbol display section 25 e, but also the areas placed on the activated pay line L like the symbol display section 24 e. “Any other area than the determination area” can arbitrary be meant in such a manner that it is fixed to any in all areas except the determination area in the variable display area 20 (is fixed to the symbol display section 25 e) or is made variable.

The number of the symbol display sections is configured to be five (20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 20 e) in the embodiment, but is not limited to five and may be three or nine.

In the embodiment described above, the gaming machine is described by taking the slot machine 1 that allows the player to play a slot game as an example. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the slot machine for variably displaying symbols, but also to a pachinko machine or to a so-called Pachi-Slot machine.

The present invention may be applied to a free game performed in a bonus game.

In the embodiment described above, the non-display row lottery processing (step S21) is performed after stop display of each reel (step S15 in FIG. 5), but the timing of the non-display row lottery processing is not limited to the above description. For example, the non-display row lottery processing may be performed in the base game lottery processing and stop display control can also be performed based on the lottery result.

As described with reference to the embodiment, there is provided a gaming machine (slot machine 1) that is capable of raising expectations of the player on the result of the game and enhance interest in game play.

The foregoing description of the embodiment has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. 

1. A gaming machine comprising: an image display device; and a game processing unit that performs a process for providing a player a game by controlling the image display device to display a progress of the game, the game processing unit performing the process comprising: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game processing unit performs the process further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be moved to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game processing unit performs the process further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display sections on which the variable display is re-performed.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game processing unit performs the process further comprising determining the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display sections.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game processing unit performs the process further comprising determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections in the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 6. A method for providing a player a game with a gaming machine by controlling an image display device provided on the gaming machine to display a progress of the game, the method comprising: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be moved to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display sections which the variable display is re-performed.
 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising determining the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display sections.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections in the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 11. A computer-readable program product for causing a computer provided on a gaming machine for providing a player a game to control an image display device provided on the gaming machine to display a progress of the game, the program product causing the computer to perform a procedure comprising: controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the image display device; controlling the image display device to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display section.
 12. The program product according to claim 11, the program product causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be moved to the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 13. The program product according to claim 12, the program product causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable display and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display sections on which the variable display is re-performed.
 14. The program product according to claim 11, the program product causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising determining the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display sections.
 15. The program product according to claim 14, the program product causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections in the symbol display section on which the variable display is re-performed.
 16. A gaming machine comprising: a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on a plurality of rows; a winning combination determination means for determining whether or not a game is won by a player; a stop display control means for producing stop display of the symbols on the rows so that the symbols displayed stopped in a determination area, in which to determine whether or not a specific symbol combination is satisfy, form the specific symbol combination when the winning combination determination means determines the win; a partial winning combination condition determination means for determining whether or not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for the symbol displayed stopped in the determination area to form a part of the specific symbol combination, and for displaying specific symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination in any other area than the determination area; a re-variable display control means for re-performing the variably display of the plurality of symbols on a non-display row where the symbol forming a part of the specific symbol combination is not displayed when the partial winning combination condition determination means determines that the partial winning combination condition is satisfied; and a move display control means for causing the variable display means to perform a move display of the specific symbol to the non-display row when the re-variable display control means re-performs the variably display the plurality of symbols on the non-display row.
 17. The gaming machine according to claim 16, further comprising a draw-in display control means for causing the variable display means to display a draw-in display of drawing the specific symbol into the re-variable display after the move display control means performs the move display.
 18. The gaming machine according to claim 17, further comprising a non-display row symbol determination means for determining the symbol to be displayed stopped on the non-display row after the draw-in display control means performs the draw-in display. 